Activism and New Perspectives in Indian Contemporary Art

Contemporary art offers an infinite anthology on issues of significance. Artists represent diversity of voices and perspectives, which not only defines their niche art practices but may also have social underpinnings. Artistic practices that combine creativity with strategic planning and are aimed at spreading awareness, creating an impact and/or bringing about a change are considered as activist in nature. One very popular example is the Guerrilla Girls who chose art as a medium to fight against gender bias and racism persisting within the art world. In New York, 1985, the masked group of women created posters and public letters questioning the existing norms and brought a new awareness on discrimination. Another globally recognised artist-activist from China is Ai Wei Wei, whose art is a reflection of his absolute distrust in the manipulative systems of his country.

Although, in India there have been sporadic art activism in the past, however, a number of artists have focused on the agrarian situation of the last twenty years. Numerous contemporary artists are getting extremely concerned and expressive about this situation. Through their artistic practice they recognise and reflect upon this irreconcilable problem of our times. Some artists like Aditi & Shweta Bhattad (Gram Art Project), Thukral & Tagra, Adithya Sadashiv, Kota Nilima, Siddhesh Gautam etc. have responded to these problems by making some compelling statements through their creative impulses. Numerous curatorial projects have also been initiated to address and involve artists, scientists, geologists, ecologists and various other stakeholders. These artistic enquiries, raise some very relevant questions: should these artistic impulses be seen as private rumination of the artist or do they actually emerge as intellectual pursuits that call for immediate action? Where does this art-activism reach? Does it crystallise into a perceptible change or it stays memorialised as a piece of history?

The aim of this study is to analyse how contemporary art practice is providing meaning, context and a critical perspective to the issues associated with the agrarian sector. It seeks to examine some path-breaking art projects that are becoming the voice of the repressed socio-economic segment of society. It would also gauge if these contemporary art practices can become a discourse to spread awareness that could help overhaul the situation.